Expectation (3)

December 12, 2016

Scripture
Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping …. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36 MSG)

Expectation (3)
Parties, drinking and shopping are Jesus’ keys to staying alert while in the “Christmas spirit”. “I’ll have a mint tea, please”, was my simple request at the end of lunch. My companion at lunch puffed up and said “I’ll have real tea.” Our choices of beverage can be controversial.

There is a recurrence of carelessness around drinking and driving, and the OPP with their Festive Ride program are finding too many impaired drivers already this season. We drink to take the edge off, to feed our depression, lose inhibitions, blunt our pain, toast the future with hope or just enhance a fine meal.

Jesus obviously liked wine. He produced it at a wedding and held it up in his final hours to say “Remember me”. When we raise a glass this season we can celebrate God’s presence in the celebration, his presence in the moderation. 

A Prayer for Today
Loving God, help us to have keen powers of observation when we look and listen to what is happening in life. Give us moments of inner stillness, even when the noise around us is deafening. In the midst of the abundance of this season we are reminded that you left all your abundance to be one of us in all our fragility and weakness – so you can make us strong …. for Jesus’ sake